Bush* Remembered from Social Contacts (in Alabama)

[kskiska]

George W. Bush didn't make much of an impression as a Guardsman in Alabama, but plenty of people recall him socially from 1972, with memories fond and foul.

Bush is remembered by those who say they worked with him, socialized with him, even those who say he still owes them money.

Winston Groom, the "Forrest Gump" author, remembers a pleasant dinner with Bush in the summer of 1972. Lobbyist Fred Crawford recalls talking baseball, lots of baseball, with Bush. Birmingham native Murphy Archibald, now a lawyer in Charlotte, recounts how Bush often bragged about his drinking.

None have specific recollections about Bush and the National Guard. Some heard he was serving but never saw for themselves. All of them remember his time with Winton "Red" Blount's unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign.

(snip)

For much of 1972, the 26-year-old Bush lived, worked and played in Alabama, mostly in Montgomery. He came to town to work for Blount at the urging of his father and with the help of a family friend, GOP political consultant Jimmy Allison of Midland, Texas. And he lived in a two-bedroom, one-bath cottage in Montgomery's historic Cloverdale neighborhood, the furnished home of a 68-year-old widow.
That's what the Smith family remembers most about Bush, how he left their aunt's home damaged, dirty and dumpy.

"He was just a rich kid who had no respect for other people's possessions," said Mary Smith, whose family found damaged walls, broken furnishings and a chandelier destroyed after Bush left the house. A bill sent to collect the damages went unpaid, the family said.

more…
(they ask for zip code & gender)
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1077963426278660.xml

[acmavm]

1. No surprises here. He's pretty much left our country a shambles like he

did the Smith's aunts house. I doubt he'll be paying for that either.

[unblock]

2. a rich kid with no respect for other people's possessions

like iraq's oil or my paycheck or your social security.

[billybob537]

3. W

HAS HE EVER SUCCEEDED IN ANY JOB HE HAS HAD?

[indepat]

7. That pretty much sums it up: well said

[izzie]

4. So hard to be a 'teen-ager'

Only the Republicans stay boys until they are in their late 40's. What is it with those people.

[indepat]

8. Privilege?

[whistle]

5. Sounds like a punk!

[FrankBooth]

6. Forrest Bush

Maybe Winston Groom used a little of Dubya when he created Forrest Gump.

[Teddy_Salad]

9. The Texas Souffle

That's where Bush got the nickname "the Texas Souffle," Archibald said, from some of the volunteers who thought he looked good on the outside but didn't have much inside.

I like that nickname for the idiot....."The Texas Souffle"....except that he doesn't even look good on the outside thesedays!

[placton]

10. To make the point again:

if Bush served in the Guard, someone would remember him. That $10,000 Doonesbury reward still goes unclaimed. This man simply has no shame.